Noodles are an iconic dish. If you want to prepare them quickly and can't wait to savor them, the microwave oven is your best ally. This article will tell you how to cook noodles quickly and efficiently using the microwave and how to process the dish if you want to make it more sophisticated. Don't waste time and read on.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Make Instant Noodles
Step 1. Remove the noodles from the package
Some noodles aficionados prefer to break them inside the sealed package, serve them lightly soupy and eat them with a spoon. Others choose to cook them in bulk to suck them up following the traditional style. How you eat them is up to you.
Step 2. Place the noodles in a microwave safe container and cover them with water
Usually it is necessary to add between 250 and 500 ml of water, depending on the size of the container and how you prefer to eat them: dry or soupy.
- To prevent water from splashing inside the microwave, it is best to cover the container with a lid or a paper towel. Don't worry if the noodles float - they will cook anyway.
- Make sure the container is suitable for microwave use as the noodles will need to cook for several minutes. Plastic and Styrofoam may release Biosphenol A (BPA) and other toxins into food, so it's best to use a glass or ceramic container.
Step 3. Cook the noodles for 3 to 5 minutes
Put the container with the noodles in the microwave, set the timer and start cooking. The time required may vary depending on the oven model.
Pause the microwave halfway to stir the noodles with the fork. In this way you will make sure that they cook evenly and, moreover, you will be able to evaluate how well they are cooking, so as not to risk overcooking them. If you prefer them to stick together, just squeeze them lightly or flip the block to avoid breaking it
Step 4. Let the noodles rest for about 3 minutes
Leave them in the microwave. Lots of people have burned their tongues in too much haste to taste them. The best thing to do is let them rest for 3 minutes in the closed microwave oven. This way, you won't risk burning your fingers or mouth. The noodles will finish cooking and reach a more reasonable temperature.
If you want to get the container out of the oven right away, use gloves or pot holders and be cautious. This is the perfect time to pour the powdered seasoning from the sachet that you found inside the package into the boiling water
Step 5. Add the seasoning powder
Sprinkle the contents of the sachet over the noodles, then mix them with the spoon or fork until the powder dissolves. If you wish, transfer the noodles to a deep plate and start the banquet.
There are those who prefer to add the seasoning before putting the noodles to cook. It's a solution that can simplify the preparation if you intend to cook them in a pot, but you can also adopt it if you intend to use the microwave. If you want the noodles to absorb the seasoning as they cook because you prefer them tastier, put them in the container, add the contents of the sachet and cover them with water only afterwards, so that the powder dissolves more easily
Method 2 of 3: Boil Water Separately
Step 1. Pour 250-500ml of water into a container suitable for microwave use
Another simple method of microwave cooking noodles is to boil the water separately, add them later, and let them soak. It's a great option especially if you don't want them to get too mushy.
The amount of water to add depends on the degree of "broth" you want to obtain. Generally it is advisable to add between 250 and 500 ml, but you can increase the dose according to the amount of broth desired
Step 2. Heat the water in the microwave for 2-3 minutes
Given the way the microwave agitates the atoms of the water, you won't see it boil evenly and smoke heavily like when you heat it on the stove. On the surface, it may not even look hot. Heat it in the microwave at intervals of 2 or 3 minutes, taking care to mix it briefly between each interval.
When you are sure the water is boiling, remove the container from the microwave using pot holders or oven mitts to avoid burning yourself
Step 3. Pour the noodles into a separate bowl
While the water is heating up in the microwave, take the noodles out of the package and place them in a bowl. If you wish, you can add the seasoning powder at this time or later when the noodles are already partially cooked.
Step 4. Pour the boiling water over the noodles or directly into the single portion pack
When the water is boiling, pour it over the noodles, cover the bowl with a lid, plate or paper towel, then let them soak for 3 to 5 minutes so they become soft and delicious. At that point, they will be ready to eat.
Sometimes, instructions on instant noodle packages contain inaccurate information about cooking in the microwave. It is unclear what the dangers of heating Styrofoam in the microwave are, but it is probably safer to heat the water separately and pour it into the Styrofoam package only afterwards, rather than risk the container melting and blowing your plans for the lunch
Method 3 of 3: Enrich the Plate
Step 1. Add your favorite ingredients and toppings
Don't feel obligated to use the powdered dressing you found inside the package. The first rule of the noodles club? Don't let anyone tell you how to eat them. Instead of adding the seasoning powder, cook them and then flavor them as you like. With a few simple toppings that you can easily find in all Asian groceries, you can customize noodles and serve up a restaurant-worthy dish. Try flavoring the broth with a combination of the following ingredients after cooking in the microwave:
- Miso paste;
- Hoisin sauce;
- Rice vinegar;
- Lime or lemon juice
- Sriracha sauce or Asian hot sauce;
- Soy sauce;
- Honey;
- Spring onion;
- Basil.
Step 2. Enrich the noodles with vegetables
By adding a handful of spinach, Thai basil or other chopped vegetables, you can enrich both the taste and the nutritional intake of the noodles. It is an easy way to improve the dish.
- Before cooking the noodles, you can add chopped celery, garlic, carrots and onion. Consider adding peas or other frozen vegetables, depending on what you have in the freezer, which will add texture to the dish.
- After cooking the noodles, you can add some leafy greens or chopped herbs. Try basil or coriander, for example, or add rosemary and a spoonful of cream to the chicken noodles. It doesn't take much to completely change the taste of the dish.
Step 3. Add the eggs
This is a common choice when it comes to enriching noodles. Cooking them directly in the broth, in the traditional way, using the microwave is not easy, so if you prefer you can make them hard-boiled, cut them into pieces coarsely and add them to the finished dish as a decoration.
If you prefer to add the egg to the broth to make it thicker and tastier, remove the container from the microwave when the noodles are cooked and break it into it. Stir it vigorously with the fork, then put the noodles back in the microwave for about 1 minute. The heat of the water should be enough to cook it, but you can eventually turn the oven back on
Step 4. Try Thai-style noodles
You'll need peanut butter and some simple ingredients you probably already have around the house. For this recipe, do not add the powdered seasoning you found inside the package.
- Put a heaping tablespoon of salted peanut butter in a bowl (a good quality peanut butter made from natural ingredients is preferable). Add a pinch of brown sugar, a tablespoon of soy sauce and a few drops of hot sauce or sriracha sauce. If you want, you can also add grated or powdered ginger.
- When the noodles are cooked, remove most of the water (leave just a little to bind the sauce). Pour the noodles into the bowl you made the sauce in and mix them vigorously. Decorate the dish with carrots and chopped fresh cilantro. This is a truly delicious recipe.
Advice
- Sometimes adding the seasoning after cooking can make it difficult to distribute the powder well, so not all bites may be as tasty. Pouring it into the container along with the noodles before adding the water will avoid this unpleasant inconvenience.
- For a sweet and sour meal, cook two packs of noodles, drain, add the dressing, 60ml milk, and a tablespoon of butter.
- If you bought a pack of oriental-style instant noodles, cook them as directed, add the seasoning, drain most of the water, and add a few drops of soy sauce.
- Try dressing the noodles with ranch sauce and crispy bacon cubes. Also add a few drops of hot sauce.
- If you want even more flavor, add a cube to the cooking water. The granular one melts better and faster.
- The microwave power varies depending on the model, so you'll need to adjust the cooking time.
- Some office water dispensers also dispense hot water and usually at a perfect temperature for cooking single-serving instant noodles. Open the tab in half and add the hot water (be careful not to burn yourself). Cover the noodles and let them rest for a couple of minutes on the desk. Watch out for hungry coworkers who are attracted to perfume.
- To make the noodles cool down faster, throw away some of the hot water and replace it with the cold one. Be careful not to overdo it, or you will end up eating the cold noodles. For a creamy and flavorful combination, you can add a couple of tablespoons of peanut butter and a spice mix to the chicken at this point.
- You can salt the noodles to make them more flavorful. If you like, you can add some cheese as well.
- If you like to combine sweet and savory flavors, you can add a hint of honey.
- Try adding a tablespoon of barbecue sauce to noodles with chicken or beef.
- Add a lime wedge and sriracha sauce to the chicken noodles if you like strong flavors.
- Try adding firm but still soft egg yolks in the center, cubes of mozzarella, hot sauce, and red or black chilli flakes.
- The hot sauce and lemon juice make chicken noodles even more interesting thanks to the contrast between acidity and spiciness.
- Once ready, add a sprinkle of grated cheese over the noodles and place them in the microwave for another 10-30 seconds.
- Drain the noodles from the cooking water before adding the seasoning for a more intense flavor.
Warnings
- If you're using a small container, don't lose sight of the noodles while you cook them in the microwave. The water may boil and leak out of the container.
- Be careful not to spill the boiling water when you take the container out of the microwave.
- Wait a couple of minutes before touching the container with your bare hands after cooking the noodles in the microwave.
- The noodles will be hot, so let them cool down a bit before eating them.
